Punchless Cubs bullied by Brewers

April 25, 2007

CHICAGO (AP) -- It just gets worse and worse for the Chicago Cubs. Prince Fielder homered for the second straight game, and the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the punchless Cubs 4-1 Tuesday night. Fielder ended a 19-inning scoreless streak for Rich Hill (3-1) with a two-run drive in the fourth, his fifth home run of the season and third in two games. Kevin Mench added a solo homer in the sixth, and Rickie Weeks had an RBI single in the seventh. Last-place Chicago (7-13), in its first season under manager Lou Piniella, has lost three straight and dropped to 3-9 at Wrigley Field. The Cubs had men in scoring position from the second to sixth innings, but couldn't take advantage. In that span they led off innings with hits four times. Milwaukee (13-7), which began the night with a 2 1/2-game lead in the NL Central, has won four straight and six of seven. Jeff Suppan (3-2) allowed eight hits and one walk in eight scoreless innings, repeatedly pitching out of trouble. After Mark DeRosa hit an RBI double off Derrick Turnbow in the ninth, Francisco Cordero struck out pinch-hitter Cliff Floyd for his eighth save. Hill, whose victories have come after Cubs' losses, pitched three perfect innings, then allowed J.J. Hardy's double and Fielder's homer on an 0-2 pitch, which came against a strong wind blowing in from Lake Michigan. Fielder hit two home runs in Milwaukee's 5-4, 12-inning victory Monday night. Hill allowed four runs, six hits and three walks in 6 2-3 innings.